Continuing our review of trace elements needed for the proper functioning of the human body, today we will present chromium, which supports, among other things, the course of numerous metabolic processes and the maintenance of homeostasis. Like other micronutrients, until recently it was considered even essential, but current scientific research seems to contradict this in part, and its excess is proving to be very harmful.

In Mendeleev’s table of elements, chromium is designated by the symbol Cr, its name comes from the Greek word for hue or color, chroma. It was discovered in the 13th century, in 1797 to be exact, but was not more thoroughly understood until the second half of the 20th century by French chemistry professor Louis Nicolas Vauqellin.

Chromium is a metal, silvery-gray in color, reacting with oxygen and acids , and is used in many industries and in medicine, including natural medicine. Due to its occurrence in the body in small amounts, it has been classified as a trace element, and its resulting deficiencies must be supplemented from external sources. It occurs in two forms:

Since chromium, even type III, which is found in many foods, can be harmful in excess, it is useful to know what the maximum permissible and safe doses of chromium are according to age:

The bioavailability of chromium depends on a number of factors, most importantly, what other active substances, vitamins or minerals, we simultaneously provide in addition to it. Simultaneous use of vitamin C can increase it , while minerals such as zinc, manganese and iron make it less absorbable. Its supplementation is particularly recommended in several situations:

Looking at the composition of many commonly used dietary supplements, you can see that in almost all of them one of the most important active substances is chromium. However, it is worth considering whether ingesting large amounts of pills that burden the digestive system is a good idea, when this element can be supplied to the body in a safer, natural way. It is found in numerous foods from which you should compose your diet, such as:

Now that we know what we should eat to take care of the proper level of chromium in the body, it’s time to find out what are its properties and uses that benefit many aspects of our health. The element has a wide range of applications, with experts highlighting the following in particular:

Maintaining proper levels of chromium is necessary for people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The element has a very good effect on the pancreas, regulating and improving its work, primarily the production of insulin, the hormone responsible for maintaining a safe amount of glucose in the blood, it also increases the body’s tolerance to its action.

Which is possible because it enters into the composition of the enzymes responsible, so that the body digests even the heaviest foods more efficiently, at the same time determines the proper course of protein metabolism and the production of essential fatty acids. Some studies also show its beneficial effect on weight reduction, counteracting overweight and obesity and reducing body fat.

In combination with dietary fiber, for example, it is supposed to more effectively suppress appetite, especially for sweets, and provide a longer feeling of satiety preventing snacking between meals. However, its use in a weight-loss diet requires prior consultation with a specialist, doctor or professional nutritionist, and supplementing chromium on its own can cause a dangerous increase.

Which is possible thanks to its antioxidant effect, helping to get rid of health-threatening free radicals, the cause of cardiovascular disease, among other things. In addition, chromium reduces the level of the “bad” fraction of LDL cholesterol in the blood, while raising the “good” fraction HDL, it also prevents atherosclerosis, reducing the risk of venous congestion.

As we age, the structure of our bones begins to weaken, and it can be strengthened again by providing adequate amounts of chromium. Its main task in this regard is to stop the processes of excessive leaching of calcium, the most important bone-building material, which is removed together with urine. In this way, chromium simultaneously counteracts the development of osteoporosis and increases the susceptibility of bones to fracture.

Another important use of chromium, which is being researched all the time, is that it can be used to strengthen cognitive functions that have been weakened for various reasons. This is especially true for people with Alzheimera or Parkinson’s disease, manifested precisely by problems with memory or learning new information.

Some experts also point to chromium’s antidepressant effect and support in coping with the negative effects of long-term stress. As studies have shown, chromium raises levels of serotonin, deservedly called the “happiness hormone,” and inhibits excessive secretion of cortisol, in turn called the “stress hormone.”

Specialists, not without specific reasons , point to the need to maintain the recommended amounts of this element, presented above. Both its deficiency and excess can become the cause of many problems, health disorders, sometimes very troublesome and requiring the intervention of a doctor.

We deal with it most often when our daily diet is devoid of products that have adequate amounts of chromium in their composition, and other equally common causes of its deficiency are:

As you can easily guess, arising when we supply too much of it with food or in the form of dietary supplements, although in the former case chromium overdose is very rare. Such a condition should not be taken lightly either, unless you want to face the serious health effects of excess chromium about the body, which are: